Bought a product from the UK and Ireland site of a well known electronics company. They didn't charge VAT on the initial order, and I had to then pay customs on the original order, which I was fine with.
However, the product arrived faulty. After much back and forth, they agreed that I could send it back for repair and replacement, and they'd reimburse me the shipping costs, which to their credit, they did.
I returned it to them. They said they couldn't repair it, and the only replacement model is in a different model (The only difference is the colour). I said that's fine.
Now I've got a invoice from An Post, for customs charges for the replacement item. For whatever reason the declared value is 3 times what the original item cost. (Far in excess of what any reasonable shipping cost could be), and now I'm expected to pay 2/3 of what I initially paid for the item again.
I contacted the company, they said that I am liable for any customs charges that the Irish government applies on my order. It's nothing to do with them. I argued that it's a replacement for a faulty item i sent back, and therefore no customs is due.
Their response was that the replacement item is a different model, so it's not a like for like replacement, and as such customs is due.
Is this actually true. What are my rights in such an instance?